Sharma S et al reported the anti‐tumour activity of lung tumour‐derived IL‐7 by IL‐7 gene transfer in NSCLC cells.35 However, IL‐7 was found to have no effect on tumour growth in mice colon carcinoma and cell resistance to oxaliplatin in CT26 cells.23 In glioma cells, IL‐7 has a pro‐tumour role with the enhanced cisplatin resistance and decreased cell apoptosis induced by cisplatin.36 The pro‐tumour roles of IL‐7 were also reported in NSCLC for promoting the metastatic process.37, 38 Our results showed the direct effect of IL‐7 on the A549 cells. The gene discussed is IL7; the disease is colon carcinoma.